Tracy to be part of Sportsnet's Canadian coverageUPDATE Fans, start your engines. Sportsnet today announced it has secured a five-year agreement for the exclusive Canadian multiplatform rights to the IZOD IndyCar Series as well as rights to the Firestone Indy Lights. The new agreement, which begins in 2013 and runs through to 2017, includes a minimum of 16 races each season, including the Indianapolis 500, which will be delivered to Canadians through a suite of multimedia platforms – television, online and mobile.

With coverage on five Sportsnet channels, six City channels and live streaming available for Rogers wireless and cable television customers via RogersAnyplaceTV.com and Rogers Anyplace TV Live mobile app, Sportsnet will deliver more than 100 hours of racing coverage in 2013 across television, online and mobile.

NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie Kyle Larson gave a candid interview to NASCAR Race Hub and host Danielle Trotta in this evening’s edition on SPEED.

Larson, 20, drives the No. 32 Turner Motorsports entry, finished 13th in Saturday’s race at Daytona International Speedway despite being caught up in a scary last-lap incident that hurled pieces of his race car into the front stretch grandstands, injuring 28 people, many of whom were transported to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.

It wasn’t the only bit of headline-making Larson was involved with either, as the California native won one of the season-opening USAC Midget Series races at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway, while also causing a controversial last-lap incident in the NASCAR All-American Series race earlier in the week.

NASCAR, Speedway to oversee Daytona NNS crash probeAn investigation into the crash that injured 28 fans when debris flew into the grandstands at Daytona International Speedway will be conducted by the track and NASCAR, and not by any outside agency. NASCAR and Speedway officials said Monday they would dedicate significant time and resources into investigating what could be done to prevent a repeat of the crash and determine if any safety improvements are needed to protect fans -- their "number one priority."

The Speedway and NASCAR, which governs and sanctions stock car racing, said they have no timetable for completing the investigation. But they said no government agency would be called in nor would they be required to file reports with any public agency. NASCAR will dedicate "significant time and resources into getting the right answer," said David Higdon, NASCAR's managing director, integrated marketing communications, adding it may take days, weeks or even months to complete the review. Daytona Beach News Journal

After further evaluation by two different doctors in North Carolina, it has been determined that Richard Petty Motorsports driver Michael Annett has suffered a fracture and dislocation of his sternum. He will immediately undergo surgery for his injuries in Charlotte. He suffered the injury as a result of an accident during Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series event in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Annett will not be able to compete for an indefinite amount of time as he heals from the surgery. Richard Petty Motorsports driver Aric Almirola will drive the No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford this weekend at the Phoenix International Raceway as the team evaluates its options moving forward.

Run, walk, wheel-athon returns to streets of St. PeteRegistration is now open for The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation's fourth annual Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 5K Run, Walk 'N Wheel-a-thon.

This event will take place at 7 p.m. on March 22, as part of festivities surrounding the IZOD IndyCar Series Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Trim Nutrition, an INDYCAR promotional partner and a leader in wellness supplements and sustained energy products, is the presenting sponsor of this event.

ABC Supply extends sponsorship of AJ Foyt RacingOne of the longest running sponsorship in the IZOD IndyCar Series will run for at least three more seasons.

AJ Foyt Racing and ABC Supply Co. Inc. have extended their contract through the 2015 season. The relationship between ABC Supply's and motorsports legend A.J. Foyt's racing team is the second-longest in the series.

"We have had such great success with our sponsorship program so far it wasn't a tough decision to keep it going," said David Luck, president and chief executive officer of the company. "One of the core values of our company is to work hard and have fun, and sponsoring A.J.'s team and being a part of the IZOD IndyCar Series has allowed us to entertain a large number of customers and associates across the country giving us an exciting opportunity to do just that."

Daytona Nationwide TV ratingESPN’s live telecast of the season-opening NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 23, continued the Nationwide Series’ trend of strong ratings and viewership on ESPN networks as it was the No. 1 sporting event of the weekend on cable television.

Coming off three consecutive good ratings years for the series on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, the Daytona race earned a 2.5 household coverage rating (2.2 U.S. rating), averaging 3,360,122 viewers.

BAR1 Motorsports Announces 2013 Driver LineupBAR1 Motorsports returns to the American Le Mans Series and the 2013 Prototype Challenge Championship for the teams second full season.

Beginning with the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida, March 16, 2013, and with its strongest effort to-date, BAR1 will field two ORECA Prototype Challenge cars. Chris Cumming and Kyle Marcelli will drive the No. 8 car, while Tomy Drissi and Rusty Mitchell will campaign the No. 7. Joining Marcelli and Cumming at Sebring will be veteran pilot, Stefan Johansson. Chapman Ducote will join Tomy and Rusty in the No. 7.

Marcelli and Drissi both enjoyed success in the Prototype Challenge class when the duo teamed together in 2011 scoring two class wins at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Baltimore Grand Prix. They posted a runner-up finish in Long Beach, third at the Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park and were runners up at the season finale Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

MotoGP riders make test runs at Circuit of the AmericasWhen Formula One came to town in November, there was not a U.S. driver to be found anywhere on the starting grid. That won’t be the case when MotoGP, motorcycling’s answer to F1, arrives in April.

As many as five U.S. riders could compete in Austin’s inaugural MotoGP race, and on Tuesday, a few of those riders made test runs at Circuit of the Americas. Attack Performance owner Richard Stanboli said it was time well spent at a very demanding track.

“It will be challenging if they (other teams) show up without testing,” Stanboli said. “They are going to crash a lot of bikes.”

California-based Attack Performance is what’s known as a CRT team — a claiming rule team.

Allmendinger back to NASCARA.J. Allmendinger is returning to Phoenix Racing to compete in the Subway Fresh Fit 500k at Phoenix International Raceway. He'll be piloting the No. 51 Guy Roofing Chevrolet in his fifth Sprint Cup Series start with team.

Allmendinger is no stranger to the "Desert Jewel." He has eight previous Cup Series starts at the one-mile oval and has driven to four top-15s and two top-10s. He has started on the front row three times, including one pole, which he captured in 2010.

Phoenix Racing has made 16 Cup Series starts at Phoenix. Their best finish came in 2005, with Johnny Sauter taking the checkered flag in ninth place.

Tom Dillmann tops GP2 testing Day 1 in JerezIt was a perfect way for newcomers Hilmer Motorsport to start their GP2 career: on the opening day of the first pre-season test session, the German squad put Tom Dillmann at the top of the timesheets. The Frenchman who was testing for Hilmer today set a lap time of 1:25.059 in the final minutes of the afternoon session.

The day started under blue skies but in cold temperatures. As soon as the pitlane opened, the cars fed to the track but once their installation lap was done, the drivers opted to stay safely tucked away in their garages waiting for the temperatures to rise.

Injured fans to sue Daytona SpeedwayThree spectators injured by the wreck at Daytona International Speedway have contracted with the personal injury law firm of Morgan and Morgan, and four more have made appointments, firm founder John Morgan said Monday.

Morgan said of the three under contract, one has a broken leg and another has a head injury. He was checking with his firm on the third person's injuries. None of the injuries of those seeking legal help with the firm were life-threatening, he said.

2013 Daytona 500 on FOX Ranks as Highest-Rated & Most-Watched Since 2008Sunday's Daytona 500, which featured Danica Patrick's historic pole position start, the official coming out of the Gen 6 car and Jimmie Johnson's second Daytona 500 win earned a 9.9/22 rating/share, averaging 16.7 million viewers according to fast national figures released today by Nielsen Media Research. It ranks as the highest-rated and most-watched Daytona 500 since 2008 (10.2/20, 17.8 million viewers) and marks a huge +24% ratings gain over last year (8.0/14), and a +22% rise in average viewership (13.7 million). An estimated 31.6 million Americans watched at least part of Sunday's Great American Race, the best for a regularly scheduled Sunday afternoon Daytona 500 since 2008's 33.5 million viewers. This year's rating and viewership increases mark the best year-to-year rise for the Daytona 500 ever.

PPG again shuns IndyCar for F1The Williams F1 Team announced that USA's PPG Industries, the world’s leading coatings and specialty products company, will continue its sponsorship of the Williams F1 Team for an eleventh consecutive year. PPG used to be title sponsor of the CART IndyCar series but when the power brokers in the series thought small and minuscule and refused to go global, PPG said goodbye and went global with F1. Think small and you will be small as they say.

The weight of a Formula One car is vital in determining its lap times; PPG’s automotive refinish business has devised a customised paint system that enables the Williams F1 Team to achieve an impressive 30% reduction in the weight added to the car during the painting process when compared with the conventional painting process.

“Formula One demands the best and expects excellence,” explains Jerome Zamblera, Marketing Director, PPG Automotive Refinish EMEA. On every aspect of the car, from the electronics inside to the exterior paint, teams are always looking for materials that provide consistency and excel in performance. It speaks well for PPG’s quality that we and the Williams F1 Team are continuing our partnership for an impressive eleventh year.”

NHRA Race In New England sponsorsNHRA announced today that Uni-Select USA and its Auto-Plus network of automotive retail stores have acquired title rights sponsorship of the inaugural event at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.

The Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals is scheduled for June 20-23, 2013 and represents the first event in the New England area for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the expansion of our partnership with NHRA,” said Brent Windom, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Uni-Select. “Our growth in participation with NHRA saw more than 5,500 customers attend our events last year. We are excited to be an integral part of bringing NHRA Drag Racing to the New England market.”

Pedrosa fastest before heavy rainsAfter leading all three days in the first Sepang Test two weeks ago, Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa maintained his position at the top of the time sheets as the second Sepang Test got underway today.

Dani went out on track around 10.30am but heavy rain in the past few days had left the track quite dirty and slippery, which was reflected in the early lap times - almost two seconds slower than the first test.

He recorded the fastest lap of the day on lap 17 of 43, with a time of 2'01.580. Unfortunately heavy rainfall arrived again at 14h30 local time which ended the track action on this first day. Testing resumes tomorrow at 09h00 local time.

Terminal NASCAR fan fulfills dream of going to the Daytona 500, then passes awayThree days, maybe a week. Three weeks ago, that's how much time doctors gave Mitch Zannette to live. Three days, maybe a week. What can you do in that time? How do you say goodbye to everyone and everything you've ever known? How do you close off a lifetime?

Three days, maybe a week. If you know what you want out of life, it's enough time to write your own last chapter.

So last week, Mitch Zannette checked himself out of hospice and headed to Florida to see the Daytona 500. He made it to the track. Went to the beach. Met Miss Sprint Cup. Drank some beers. And on Thursday, three days before the race, he died in the infield at Daytona International Speedway. He was 50.

Stewart visits fans in hospitalTony Stewart visited six NASCAR fans who were injured Saturday during a horrific wreck on the last lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Daytona International Speedway. Stewart was present at Halifax Health Medical Center Sunday after the Daytona 500 for more than two hours, according to a Stewart Haas Racing spokesman. He arrived at approximately 8:00pm and stayed just past 10:00 pm. Stewart did not want to be acknowledged for the deed, but when ESPN.com learned he had visited the injured fans, his team confirmed the visit with his blessing. The three-time champion met with each patient individually, and interacted extensively with five of them. He gave each a personalized, autographed Bass Pro Shops #14 cap. It was Stewart's decision alone to visit the fans, the spokesman said. He wanted to do it, and charged his team with coordinating logistics. More at ESPN.com

Dario Franchitti said he hadn’t felt the drive for a record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 victory until he arrived in Indianapolis today for a promotional visit.

Once he saw the 2013 race ticket of him holding up three fingers — one for each previous win — he knew the race was on.

Officially, Franchitti’s first opportunity to tie A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears comes May 26, but the journey is already under way with IndyCar Series testing. The first series race is March 24 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

50 Cent sees 'no black people' at Daytona 500Give NASCAR credit for this, the racing circuit continues to attempt to diversify its fan base. This year, in a continued effort to show racing fast cars should appeal to more than just its traditionally white fan base, the circuit brought in African American celebrities such as recording artists 50 Cent and T.I. and future Hall of Fame NFL star Ray Lewis to the Daytona 500. It's a long way from the traditional slate of country singers.

Yet even with the best intentions, the intended message may not be getting out.

"Damn, I don't see no black people lol," 50 Cent tweeted Sunday after arriving at Daytona International Speedway.

Automobile Club de l'Ouest welcomes Nissan's new commitment to Le MansThe Automobile Club de l’Ouest is delighted that the Japanese manufacturer is returning to the Le Mans 24 Hours in Garage 56 in anticipation of a potential return to the LMP1 category in the future.

Carlos Ghosn, the Nissan CEO, announced today Tuesday 26th February in Yokohama (Japan), Nissan’s official entry to the greatest endurance race at the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Manufactures comeback will be in two stages: in 2014 Nissan have been invited to enter an Innovative car featuring electric drivetrain technology in Garage 56.

Danica and Daytona: It's 2005 all over againA reader responds to this feature article, Sorry, Stephen, Life isn't fair. Promotion is the key to selling tickets, and having a great narrative is the key to promotion that works. And having it resonate with the public is what matters. Life isn't fair. I would venture that more people know who Danica is than Ryan Hunter-Reay by a factor of 100-1. Hell, she has achieved single name status, like Mario or Renaldo. And it isn't because of some perceived over-emphasis in the coverage. She is a great story. She may prove herself a great driver, though few do. That's not the point. What the other drivers need to do in the public marketplace is what they do on the track: work harder on crafting a message that attracts attention, not whine about the success someone else is having. Then they will get the ink and win the race for promotion. Mark Wigginton

Dear Mark, So what you are saying then is that racing is not a sport. Only in racing does the best talent not rise to the top, just the best looking. It's only in racing where talent does not counts as it does in any other sport. As you say, it's how you market yourself, such as half naked on the front of a Men's Magazine that gets you to the top of the sport. Absolutely, that makes you a great story. No wonder racing in the USA is sinking to new lows. Sex is more important than talent it would seem. There will never be another American World Driving champion at this rate. USA racing is cultivating a bunch of Sex Symbols and Playboys it would seem. Stephen

Aston Martin to field second car at SebringAston Martin Racing will have two factory Aston Martin Vantage GTE entries on the grid for the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida. After a preseason test session at Portimão in Portugal, AMR will test both cars at Road Atlanta before heading to south to Sebring for the opening round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patr¢n on Saturday, March 16.

Darren Turner, Stefan Mücke and Bruno Senna will drive the No. 97 Aston Martin at Sebring, and Canadian Paul Dalla Lana, American Billy Johnson and ex-AMR factory driver Pedro Lamy driving the No. 007 at Sebring. Dane Cameron, another of America’s young road-racing talents, will test with the team at Atlanta.

Nissan Reveals Expanding Global Motorsport Program for 2013, Shuns USANissan today confirmed its extensive global motorsports program (except for the United States, which it completely shuns) will continue to expand through 2013 and beyond and be led by Nismo, the company’s dedicated performance road car and motorsports arm.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn also confirmed that the company will return to the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014 as the Garage 56 entry for innovative concepts with an all-new race car incorporating electric technology. The entry will test innovative new powertrain technology and provide the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) with data to enable all parties to evaluate the incorporation of this breakthrough technology ahead of a potential return to LMP1 in the future.

The Nissan R390 GT1 car that ran to third overall in the 1998 Le Mans 24 Hours

Nissan will return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014 with an innovative project that promises to continue the pioneering spirit of last year’s award-winning Nissan DeltaWing experimental entry.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn made the pledge to return to Le Mans during a special event today in Yokohama, Japan, to open a new headquarters for Nismo, Nissan’s global performance and motorsport brand.

Ghosn hinted that a new approach to innovation and excitement will be at the project’s core, while confirming that the company will return as the Garage 56 entry for innovative concepts with an all-new race car incorporating electric technology.

Motorsports This Week on ESPNNASCAR Nationwide Series at Phoenix on ESPN2The NASCAR Nationwide Series moves to Phoenix International Raceway this weekend for a 200-mile race and ESPN2 will have a live telecast on Saturday, March 2. NASCAR Countdown begins at 4 p.m. ET with the green flag at 4:45 p.m. The race telecast is presented by Kawasaki. All NASCAR programming on ESPN and ESPN2 is also available on computers, smartphones, tablets and Xbox via WatchESPN, accessible to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.

The past weekend’s scary incident where a portion of Kyle Larson’s NASCAR Nationwide Series car hurtled into the grandstand, sending as many as 28 people to the infield care center and nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Some of the injuries were critical, but not life threatening.

Host Steve Byrnes interviewed Chitwood about the next steps in the evaluation process, and what he anticipates could unfold in the months ahead.

Win an Indy Car ride with Mario AndrettiHere's your chance to win the ride of your life. Enter the Fastest Seat in Sports Sweepstakes for a shot at starting a race in the IZOD IndyCar® 2-seater driven by a legend like Mario Andretti.

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IndyCar tests move to SonomaThe weather difference between Florida and Indiana on Feb. 19 wasn't the only reason Ed Carpenter yearned to be at Sebring International Raceway. It was the 13 drivers participating in testing on the 1.7-mile facility - and 20 in all over three days.

Carpenter will get his initial on-track time of the year Feb. 27 at Sonoma Raceway.

"Anytime there are people testing somewhere and you're not there you feel like you're missing something, but we'll get our turn soon and we're excited about that," said the second-year IZOD IndyCar Series team owner/driver. "The season is just around the corner and we have a lot of work to do out there so it should be a good test."

Brabham leads Pro Mazda test at Circuit of the AmericasMatthew Brabham paced a two-day Pro Mazda test at the Circuit of the Americas as teams prepared for the March 1-2 season-opening doubleheader at the track located in Austin, Texas.

Brabham, the son of former Indy car and sports car driver Geoff Brabham and grandson of racing legend Sir Jack Brabham, posted a time of 2:04.461 in his No. 83 Andretti Autosport machine on Feb. 24.

Juncos Racing's Diego Ferreira was second with a lap of (2:05.612) on Feb. 24 followed by Team Pelfrey's Spencer Pigot (2:05.753 on Feb. 24), World Speed Motorsports' Kyle Kaiser (2:05.798 on Feb. 23) and JDC Motorsport's Zack Meyer (2:05.873 on Feb. 24).

In all, 15 drivers participated in the test on the 3.427-mile circuit.

Johnson denies wrecking car on purposeJimmie Johnson laughed when told that fans are accusing him of cheating because he wrecked his car during the celebration of his Daytona 500 victory Sunday. "I can only imagine," Johnson said Monday morning when asked if he knew about the comments. The conspiracy theorists point to October 2010 audio of Johnson crew chief Chad Knaus telling Johnson to make sure the back of his car has hit something either during the race or afterward in order to make sure they pass inspection. Johnson cleared tech after the race Sunday, and Johnson said the damage to the car was more in the front end after he drove through the Daytona tri-oval grass to celebrate his victory. "Luckily they don't measure heights on the front of the car anymore," Johnson said. More at Sporting News

Hendrick willing to help develop better fence techWinning Daytona 500 team owner Rick Hendrick wants to find out what allowed the front clip of Kyle Larson's car to be sheared off in Saturday's Nationwide Series race. He is willing to work with NASCAR to develop technology that will help prevent another such incident that left 28 fans injured when debris flew into the stands. Larson's car went airborne into the catch fence on a horrific last-lap crash. The engine, built by Hendrick Motorsports, was separated from the car and landed on the concrete in front of the Campbell grandstands between sections H and I. One of the tires with the hub attached sailed over the fence and hit two fans, sending both to nearby Halifax Heath with critical injuries, one life-threatening. Both, according to a hospital representative on Monday, are stable and no longer critical. "I think the fence did its job,'' Hendrick said during Monday's Daytona 500 champion's breakfast for driver Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team. "I've never seen the clip come off before. They say they haven't found parts of the transmission. "What happened to the clip, there might be something else we can do. I've never seen that happen.'' ESPN

Two Spectators Remained In Hospital Following Daytona CrashTwo of the fans injured in Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 "remained hospitalized in stable condition" as of late yesterday. After the 13-car accident, 14 fans were sent to area hospitals, and Halifax Health spokesperson Byron Cogdell said that 12 of those fans "were released late Saturday or early Sunday." Daytona Int'l Speedway President Joie Chitwood said that "14 other fans were treated at the track's care centers." JACKSONVILLE.com

Former HRT reserve driver Ma Qing Hua will get behind the wheel of a GP2 car at the Circuito de Jerez later this week, having secured a test outing with Caterham Racing.

After becoming the first ever Chinese driver to compete in an official Formula 1 session during practice for the 2012 Italian Grand Prix, the 24-year-old made three more Friday outings. He is now assessing the possibility of joining the feeder series.

"I am looking forward to testing with Caterham Racing in Jerez next week," Ma said of his maiden GP2 experience. "This will be my first time in a GP2 car and it is a great opportunity for me to learn the car and work with such a professional team."

GP2 Series back on track at JerezFirst three-day pre-season test session opens tomorrow in Spain

The 2013 GP2 Series officially kicks off tomorrow for the first test session of the year at Circuito de Jerez in Spain. Teams and drivers have gathered at the Spanish track for three days in order to prepare for the ninth season of the category which will open in twenty-four days in Sepang, Malaysia.

Fresh faces mix with familiar ones as the field reshuffles. Reigning champions DAMS will try and retain their crown and trust Marcus Ericsson and Stéphane Richelmi to help them in that challenge whilst last year’s rivals ART Grand Prix have bet on 2012 GP2 best rookie James Calado and 2012 GP3 Series runner-up Daniel Abt. Last season’s Monaco king Johnny Cecotto Jr has moved to Arden International and will be partnered with 2012 GP3 Series Champion Mitch Evans.

Daytona Speedway officials to review crash, safety fencingEddie Huckaby, a fan cut by flying metal during the crash at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, watched Sunday's Daytona 500 from his hospital room.

"He's doing fine," said his brother, Terry Huckaby.

Eddie Huckaby was injured when Kyle Larson's car slammed into the wall as cars roared to the finish line of the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300. The car "exploded," spraying a car tire, debris and automotive fluids over and through a 22-foot grandstand fence into the crowd of fans. Fans said the engine landed on a walkway in flames.

Huckaby was among at least 28 fans injured. Seven remained hospitalized on Sunday at Halifax Health Medical Center.

Lowe pushed aside, Goss promoted at McLarenMcLaren announced that Tim Goss, formerly the team's director of engineering, has been appointed to technical director with immediate effect.

Tim joined McLaren in 1990 as a development engineer, and has been a stalwart of the team's engineering and technical function ever since, leading car design operations since his elevation to director of engineering in January 2011.

Goss said: "I'm delighted to have been offered the Technical Directorship of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes - one of the most prestigious positions in global sport - and I'm greatly looking forward to making a significant contribution to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' ongoing success in that role.

Video: Final lap of Daytona 500Jimmie Johnson leads Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the finish line in the Great American Race. Behind them, Mark Martin and Brad Keselowski are followed by Ryan Newman to round out the top 5.

Danica helps Daytona 500 TV RatingsSunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Daytona 500 from Daytona International Speedway earned a 10.0 overnight rating on FOX, up 30% from last year's Monday night race (7.7), and up 22% from 2011 (8.2). According to FOX, the 10.0 overnight is the best for the Daytona 500 since the 2006 race on NBC. That 2006 race had a lead-in from the Winter Olympics and finished as the highest rated and most-viewed Daytona 500 ever. Unlike other sporting events, such as the NBA or Major League Baseball, final ratings for NASCAR typically increase from the overnight. Over the past five years, final ratings for the race have risen between 4% and 15% from the overnight, putting Sunday's race on pace to finish in the 10.4-11.5 range. The record-setting 2006 race had an 11.3 final rating.

All the losers follow Johnson under the checkered flag. If you didn't win the race you lost, i.e. you were a loser no matter how well you ran

Getty Images for NASCAR

DALE EARNHARDT, JR, NO. 88 NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET SS – FINISHED SECONDYOU GOT BEHIND YOUR TEAMMATE JIMMIE JOHNSON, BUT WASN'T ABLE TO GET BY. HOW WAS THE END OF THAT RACE AND THE MOVE YOU WERE TRYING TO MAKE?"Well, we just had a lot of help from Mark Martin at the end. We were able to lay back until the last lap on the backstretch there to get enough of a run. We got by a couple of them, but I looked up in the mirror off of (turn) four and Mark (Martin) was back there racing those guys and I lost my help. So when we got to Jimmie (Johnson) we didn't have enough steam. I want to thank Hendrick and all the guys that work there. The engine was great. The car was real fast. You had to be real patient and if you tried to pull out you would go to the back of the field. We had to really be patient on them green runs to try to hold our track position and try to do things on pit road to get us up front. But at the end I knew the racing was going to get mixed up and it sure did. It was a lot of fun, just a great package, a couple of adjustments and man this is going to be awesome."

Johnson bent up the nose of his Chevy in the uneven Daytona grass infield after the race

CIA Stock Photo

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME YOU'VE WON THE DAYTONA 500, BUT IT'S BEEN A BIT OF A DROUGHT SINCE 2006.

"It has. Plate racing is awfully tough racing form of racing and there's a lot of luck involved. Pack racing is a little different. You can't ride and kind of wait for things to happen. You have to race all day long and fight for track position. And this race car, this Lowe's Chevrolet, was so good. Chad Knaus and all of Hendrick Motorsports gave me a fast car and I could really stay up front all day long. I had a lot of confidence those final few laps leading the train because I knew just how fast this car was. It's a big credit for everybody at Hendrick Motorsports."

Not only did Danica Patrick prove she could hang with the big boys in her second career appearance in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, she finished eighth.

It was a record for a woman at the historic race...after she set a record by becoming the first woman to capture a pole position for the event on Feb. 17. She also led twice for a total of five laps in the Daytona 500 on Sunday.

In 2015MY GM vehicles equipped with 4G LTE, people will be able to bring in their personal mobile devices and connect to the built-in Wi-Fi hot spot. This will allow passengers to access entertainment options like streaming videos.

General Motors today announced a broad global strategy to deliver a new generation of connected cars and trucks with embedded 4G LTE mobile broadband, the largest deployment in the automotive industry to date.

The first GM cars, trucks and crossovers to get 4G LTE will be most 2015 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models available in 2014 in the United States and Canada delivered through AT&T. GM will announce more carrier and supplier relationships in coming months to expand 4G LTE capabilities in markets around the globe.

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